[President Uhuru Kenyatta in a past event at Kisii. Reports indicate that State House is worried on fielding candidates in Nyamira. Photo/Nation]
Rivalry between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have reported rocked Nyamira Jubilee governorship race with the two principal’s yet to agree on preferred candidates to avoid nominations.
Fierce competition between former Kitutu Masaba MP Walter Nyambati, businessman Charles Mochama and physician Erneo Nyakiba have literally paralyzed Jubilee’s activities just days to elections.
With State House keen to capture the governorship seat, boardroom meeting monitored by the top leadership are yet to bore fruits.
While President Uhuru Kenyatta and education CS Fred Matiang’i favours Mochama, Rutto’s camp has reportedly shifted its focus on Mr. Nyambati who he trusts due to political experience.
“The boardroom meetings are yet to yield fruits due to interference from above. The two principals have different preferred candidates,” said a source privy to Jubilee politics.
Nyamira County voted for opposition leader Raila Odinga and the source further reveals that NIS report indicates that the party still trails Odinga’s ODM by enjoying only 17 percent.
Political analyst Dismas Mokua says Jubilee party will be keen to avoid ballot during nominations by using consensus.
“The region is volatile and to show some organization within Jubilee, they are likely to strike boardroom deals,” he said.
Whoever to be fronted would face ODM’s John Nyagarama and a possibility of West Mugirango MP James Gesami who lost in ODM primaries but could join as an Independent candidate.